Despite coming across relatively normal, the tech billionaire has just admitted that, in the early days of Microsoft, he used to memorise all of his employees’ license plates to check exactly when they were arriving at and leaving the office.

Gates revealed this rather disturbing information while taking part in BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.

‘I had to be a little careful not to try and apply my standards to how hard they worked,’ he said.

Bill Gates was a terrifying boss (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

‘You know, I knew everyone’s license plates plates so I could look out in the parking lot and see when people were coming in, when people were leaving.

‘Eventually I had to loosen up as the company got to a reasonable size.’

Bill Gates looking pretty casual in 1986 (Picture: Ed Kashi/Liaison)

Obviously back in the late 70s Microsoft was a lot smaller – it was started by 11 people. We assume (and sincerely hope) he doesn’t memorise the license plates of the thousands of people the company employs today.